By Kemo Cham
The first ever malaria treatment for newborns and infants has received a positive nod from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a major gain against the parasitic diseases.
WHO on Friday announced the prequalification of a new version of artemether-lumefantrine developed specifically as treatment for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms. The prequalification of a medical product by the global health body means that it has met international standards of quality, safety and efficacy.
Artemether-lumefantrine, commonly known by the brand name Coartem, is a highly effective oral combination therapy for treating acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum. The treatment taken in 3-day period, is often considered a first-line treatment. But until now the treatment was available to only older children (5 to 10 years) and adults.
Infants infected with malaria have been given the formulations intended for older children, which exposes them to risk of dosing errors, side effects and toxicity.
This new development, announced on the eve of the commemoration of World Malaria Day 2026, closes a long-standing treatment gap for some 30 million babies born each year in malaria-endemic areas of Africa, says WHO.
“For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communities,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But today, the story is changing. New vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets and effective medicines, including those adapted for the youngest, are helping to turn the tide.”
The medicine was developed by the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Novartis said Coartem Baby, as the medicine is called, will be available on largely not-for-profit basis in areas where malaria is endemic.
Malaria is a severe, often fatal disease caused by parasites called Plasmodium, which are transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, headaches, and fatigue, which typically appear 7–30 days after infection, according to WHO.
The World malaria report 2025, the latest data on global malaria trends, show that there were an estimated 282 million cases and 610 000 deaths the previous year – marking an increase from 2023.
Overwhelming majority global malaria cases and fatalities, 94% and 95%, respectively, were recorded in the WHO African Region.
Sierra Leone is one of the countries most endemic to the malaria, with an estimated 6,635 to 7,000+ deaths annually, according to the Ministry of Health. The disease is said to be responsible for approximately 25% of all child deaths in the country, with over 2 million hospital consultations annually.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2026 is: ‘Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.’ It emphasizes that eliminating malaria is achievable in our lifetime through new tools and vaccines, while stressing the urgent need for action and sustained funding.
Dr Ghebreyesus stressed this in his statement marking the prequalification of the new baby treatment.
“Ending malaria in our lifetime is no longer a dream – it is a real possibility, but only with sustained political and financial commitment. Now we can. Now we must,” he said.
The WHO Africa Region office, also in a statement emphasized the need to sustain current gains against the disease. It said with vaccines presenting a “powerful” part of the WHO-recommended package of interventions, countries can optimize impact by using a tailored mix of proven measures.
“In the face of recent funding cuts, countries need more support to reach their national vaccination targets, so vulnerable children are not left out. Malaria vaccines could prevent the deaths of an estimated half a million child lives by 2035,” it said.
Nearly two weeks ago, the WHO also prequalified three new rapid diagnostics tests designed to address emerging diagnostic challenges for malaria.
